Vacation season is almost here, and there's no better escape than visiting the beach. The Gulf Coast beaches are a favorite vacation destination for many because they offer a perfect mix of relaxation, beauty, and fun.

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I may not be a beach expert, but I spent 21 years just 2.3 miles from Pompano Beach. Believe me, it’s only when you move away that you truly realize how lucky you were to live so close.

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Travel + Leisure highlighted the “10 Gorgeous Gulf Coast Beaches From Texas to Florida.” Of course, Alabama beaches appeared on this list.

“Five U.S. states are lucky enough to have a coastline on the Gulf of Mexico. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida attract millions of travelers each spring and summer with promises of emerald waters, incredible wildlife spotting, and white-sand beaches,” said Travel + Leisure.

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Travel + Leisure’s Top 10 Picks

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(In Alphabetical Order)

Bay St. Louis Beach, Mississippi

Clearwater Beach, Florida

Henderson Beach State Park, Destin, Florida

Holly Beach, Cameron, Louisiana

Orange Beach, Alabama

Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi, Texas

Shell Island, Panama City Beach, Florida

Siesta Key Beaches, Florida

St. Pete Beach, Florida

West End Beach, Dauphin Island, Alabama

Extra Kudos

Orange Beach earned a spot among the Travel + Leisure "Top 3 Can’t-Miss" beaches, sharing the spotlight with Florida’s stunning Clearwater Beach and the charming Bay St. Louis Beach in Mississippi.

LOOK: Here are the 50 best beach towns in America

Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub, released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here. From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

Gallery Credit: Keri Wiginton

LOOK: These are the best lake towns to live in

Stacker examined data from personal finance website WalletHub to determine the best lake towns to live in across the U.S.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

The Definitive List of The Oddest, Strangest and Downright Filthy Town Names In Every State

We combed through list after list of the oddest, strangest and somewhat naughty-sounding town names in every state. From Smut Eye to Ding Dong, you can learn unbelievable facts about each of these towns below.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll

Offbeat adventures: Travel to the coolest hidden wonders in every U.S. state

Fuel your offbeat travel dreams. Stacker found the coolest hidden wonders in all 50 U.S. states (plus D.C.) using data from Atlas Obscura.

[WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter private or abandoned property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing.]

Gallery Credit: Sandi Hemmerlein

LOOK: Stunning, historic hotels from every state and the stories behind them

Stacker curated this list of stunning, historic hotels from every state. To be considered for inclusion, the structure must be more than 50 years old. Many of the selected hotels are listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and several are purported to be haunted.

Gallery Credit: Erin Joslyn

LOOK: Here are the states where you are most likely to hit an animal

Hitting an animal while driving is a frightening experience, and this list ranks all 50 states in order of the likelihood of such incidents happening, in addition to providing tips on how to avoid them.

Gallery Credit: Dom DiFurio & Jacob Osborn

LOOK: Explore the iconic buildings from every state

From colonial homesteads to mansions by the ocean, iconic buildings define every state in the country. Stacker compiled this list of notable examples from historic and government reports and news articles.

Gallery Credit: Aine Givens

LOOK: 25 must-visit hidden gems from across the US

From secret gardens to underground caves, Stacker compiled a list of 25 must-visit hidden gems from across the United States using travel guides, news articles, and company websites.

Gallery Credit: Abby Monteil

From coast to coast: The 20 best regional fast-food chains to try

From burgers to subs and even creamy milkshakes, these tasty fast-food chains, compiled by Stacker, are a must-try on your next road trip.

Gallery Credit: Kiersten Hickman

Source: Top 10 Gulf Coast Beaches That Are Too Stunning to Miss

Filed Under: Featured, beach, local news

Categories: Articles, Local News